BAPR Plus: May 1

Steven Pearce’s home run binge has earned himself a promotion, Dustin McGowan is back in the big leagues, Cesar Carrillo left Monday’s game with an injury , Yovani Gallardo showed power on the mound and at the plate and John Mayberry did what every kid dreams of on Monday night.Triple-A

Joe Inglett hit a grand slam to help Buffalo turn a close game into a laugher with eight runs in the final three innings. Pawtucket’s Devern Hansack got the loss, but he did strike out eight, moving him into second-place in the International League in strikeouts.

Just like they did on Sunday, Rochester rallied in the ninth to beat Toldeo. Rochester starter Kevin Slowey threw his typical gem, allowing one run in seven innings which actually raised his ERA to 1.05. But Slowey didn’t pick up the win, as the two teams were tied until Rochester scored three runs in the top of the ninth. A Matt Moses double and a Matt LeCroy two-run single were the big hits of the ninth-inning rally.

Journeyman reliever Winston Abreu has been nearly perfect for Columbus. Abreu struck out five batters in two innings Monday night, lowering his ERA to 0.63. He’s now struck out 15 in his last six innings. Juan Brito walked to driver in the go-ahead run, then homered to add an insurance run in Columbus’ 6-4 win over Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Sandy Alomar Jr. is still around. Alomar hit a pinch-hit grand slam on Monday to help New Orleans top Round Rock 8-7. Carlos Gomez was 3-for-4 with his 13th stolen base for New Orleans while Brooks Conrad homered for Round Rock.

Bad news for the Padres. Cesar Carillo left Monday’s game in the second inning with elbow discomfort.

“I hope it’s nothing of consequence,” Beavers manager Rick Renteria told the Oregonian. “Whatever it is, it’s probably rehab-able or fixable, and once we get to that point where we understand what it is, well take it from there.”

“You see it on SportsCenter, Big Papi and those guys, but to do it yourself is something special,” Mayberry Jr. told the Bakersfield Californian.

Brandon Hynick hasn’t allowed an earned run this season. He extended the streak to 32 innings with a complete-game shutout of Inland Empire. Hynick allowed two hits striking out seven. For the season, Hynick has given up 19 hits and struck out 22 while walking only three. Hynick got plenty of bad swings on Monday with his fastball command and a good changeup.
“It wasn’t a good game. It was a great game,” Inland Empire manager Dave Collins told the San Bernardino Sun. “From a command standpoint, that was the best we have seen. He got all his pitches over and they were all effective.”

“Kershaw’™s got great stuff, and he’™s the best we’™ve seen so far in this league. He’™s probably got the best fastball in the league from the left side, and as he develops, he’™s only going to get better,’™’™ Quad Cities manager Keith Mitchell told the Quad Cities Times.